Gundersen Lutheran sets March 1st as closing date for Ossian Clinic

Gundersen Lutheran has announced that it will close its Ossian Clinic March 1st.  Hours of operation at the clinic will begin being scaled back on December 1st.

Gundersen Lutheran officials say there are a number of reasons for closing the Ossian Clinic. The most pressing reason is a national shortage of primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.  "The shortage of primary care physicians and providers in our country is a problem that is causing a ripple effect in communities like Ossian. With many of these providers reaching retirement age and beginning new phases of their lives, it has become increasingly difficult to find primary care clinicians to work in rural locations," says Gundersen Lutheran medical vice president Dr. Marilu Bintz.

Gundersen Lutheran says the existing Ossian Clinic staff members will be moving to the other clinics in northeast Iowa, including the Gundersen Clinics in Calmar and Decorah.  For example, nurse practitioner Rene Kriener, ARNP, will begin transitioning her practice to the Gundersen Lutheran – Calmar Clinic, where she will practice full-time once the Ossian Clinic closes.